"A Cowboy's Lesson" Mark Bell

A Cowboy’s Lesson

 

 

Mark Bell·Tuesday, January 12, 2016

A strand of barbed wire used to parcel off open range once traversed by cowboys, their cattle, and before that, the indigiounous peoples of North America and the buffalo that sustained their lives.

Are we riding the last trail of the cowboy way of life? This story is a tale of dire change now underway that will affect the last few cowboys left and every American as well. When I grew up, John Wayne was king of the silver stage. His honest handshake, the conviction in his voice, and his willingness to fight for what was right were to be aspired to. While some still live a semblance of this way of life, it is fading from sight. Honestly this way of life, if you were to ask a cowboy of old, started fading away over a hundred years ago when barbwire became the ruler of the plains instead of cattle, horses and cowboys.

Hoss Cartwright (Dan Blocker) of Bonanza fame.

I could give a dictionary definition of a cowboy, but it would limit what a cowboy came to be. You see a cowboy isn’t just a dusty feller riding behind his herd of cattle. He doesn’t just sit around a campfire eating beans and playing a verse or two of Tumbling Tumble Weed before hitting the sack. Cowboys were a defining part in our history. From riding the range to marshaling a town, cowboys reigned in an inspiring way of life for many little boys and girls. I used to ride every moment I could when I was a boy. When I saddled up and rode amid forests of ponderosa pine, through red rock canyons, and on trails between giant boulders, I was Hoss, John Wayne, or Little Joe. With my six shooter on my side, my Red Ryder Model 1938 BB gun scabbarded, I was no longer pretending to be a cowboy, I was a cowboy. You see, being a cowboy isn’t all the things that a cowboy carries, it’s a mindset, a way of life, a firm handshake with a look of conviction in one’s eye. Being a cowboy is a package deal with pistols, rifle, horse, saddle, boots and hat, tall tales, and bravery. Being a cowboy was far beyond a dictionary definition. Cowboys were the framers, builders and defenders of a modern America.

If John Wayne, the Cartwrights, or any of the actual cowboys were here, America would be in the misted of a range war of range wars. As I write this, there is a range war of sorts underway. In Harney County Oregon, Americas last remaining cowboys have made their stand. Along with some of Americas few remaining patriots, these pioneers of our America are desperately holding on to the ideals and principles that once defined our country.

Militiaman proudily displaying the three percent symbol relating to the few who stood for America during the revolutionary war with England.

When one goes back in history, one will learn what Americans were once made of. Some tried and true Americans were cowboys, militiamen, sheriffs, and even those demonized as being outlaws were the approximated three percent of Americans who did more than just complain. Americans were not a bunch of latte sipping yuppies, but people of strong character and conviction. Alas, a few truly great Americans still exist and are the ones who defended the Bundy family in Bunkerville, Nevada and are those now standing against tyranny in Burns, Oregon. There are a few cowboys and patriots left who are willing to do more than talk, who will still help a lady across the street or ride to Nevada and Oregon to fight for liberty and freedom.

While book learning and degrees have been touted as being the only true education in our country, I say the best lessons are from good teachers. Good teachers and good teachings have little to do with college degrees and fancy buildings of brick and mortar, but come from those who teach from the heart. Teaching from the heart and from valuable experience is what crafted much of America. Though many could not read nor write back in the day, the lessons taught and learned were invaluable and is exactly what is being taught right now in Oregon. These courageous cowboys and patriots are teaching what we as Americans have forgotten. What they are teaching - bravery, integrity, the principles of liberty, and Godliness are what many people have given away for big screen televisions, football, cell phones, and all that is glitter. If Americans will pay attention, a modern day history lesson is in session at this very moment.

Ammon Bundy - Cowboy, patriot, and servent of God.

Long for the good old cowboy days? Well, some of Americas last remaining cowboys and patriots are teaching that lesson from their hearts right now in Harney County, Oregon. Time to saddle up cowboys and cowgirls. Let’s Ride!